" What are you doing here? Haven’t you seen a lot?" Kaden snapped at him. She flinched at his tone.
Yuki’s stomach twisted violently as she stood there, tray in hand, watching Eloise pressed against Kaden as she belonged there. Her grip tightened on the edge. They were pressed against each other and a wave of conflicting emotions hit her.
She was truly a fool playing with fire like him. If they had actually crossed that line today would he still be here with Eloise? She almost laughed at herself of course he would.
The image of their kiss burned behind her eyes. Her mind scread at her to turn and run, to disappear before the humiliation swallowed her whole. But running would make her look pathetic, and she refused to give either of them that satisfaction. Kaden ant nothing to her. Nothing at all.
She swallowed the bitter taste rising in her throat, ignored Eloise’s sharp, venomous glare, and walked forward with calm, asured steps. Every movent felt forced, but she kept her expression neutral.
She raised the tray and placed it firmly into Eloise’s hands. "It’s from the Alpha. To help with his injuries," she said, her voice steady and cool.
Her gaze flickered briefly to Kaden. "Maybe you should learn so decency if you don’t want people seeing what they shouldn’t." Her act was perfect, too perfectly executed. The level of nonchalance in it ticked Kaden.
The words left her lips with perfect, cutting calm. She didn’t wait for a reaction. Turning on her heel, she walked away with her head high, steps unhurried and dignified. She would not run. She would not show weakness. Whatever happened by the river was a mistake that would never repeat itself.
The cool night air brushed against her skin as she left the quarters, carrying the faint scent of night-blooming jasmine and damp earth. Her heart still pounded, but she forced herself to breathe evenly.
After Yuki disappeared down the hallway, Eloise’s gaze flickered back to Kaden, still filled with hunger. He looked breathtaking under the soft lighting, a perfect blend of rugged masculinity and refined elegance. His lashes cast faint shadows on his cheeks, making him appear almost fragile in monts. Truly gorgeous.
She leaned forward for another kiss, but Kaden gently stopped her. "Kaden..." she blinked, dumbfounded.
"You will spill the soup," he said, taking the tray from her hands. "And we shouldn’t be doing this."
Her brows furrowed. "Why?" she asked, her tone sharper than usual.
"I am injured, Eloise," he replied, sounding defeated. "It’s late. I need to rest early. Don’t worry yourself about ."
Eloise studied him for a mont. His wound had looked severe, and he did seem genuinely exhausted. She forced a sweet smile. "Of course. Please take care of yourself," she said although the words tasted like ash in her mouth.
"I will." Kaden placed a light kiss on her forehead, then stepped back into his room and quietly shut the door.
Eloise stood outside the large doors for a long mont, staring at the polished wood. There was nothing obviously wrong with what he said, yet sothing felt off. She shook her head. "Stop overthinking it, Eloise," she whispered to herself, then turned and left his quarters.
The cool night air brushed against her skin as she walked through the palace corridors and stepped into an open-air quad. Moonlight bathed the garden in a silvery glow, turning the grass into a carpet of liquid light. Night-blooming flowers released a sweet, heady fragrance that mingled with the fresh scent of dew-kissed earth. Fireflies danced lazily between the shrubs like living stars.
Her gaze imdiately fell on a lone figure seated gracefully on the grass, staring up at the sky.
Yuki looked ethereal, as if the moon itself had blessed her. Her long blonde hair caught the moonlight, glowing like strands of spun silver and gold. The soft breeze played with the loose waves, making them shimr. Even from behind, her beauty was undeniable. It was delicate yet striking, with an almost otherworldly grace. The ladies of the court often whispered that Aevia had stolen Alexander with her looks, but Yuki was even more stunning in her own quiet, magnetic way.
Even if Eloise didn’t want to admit it. Yuki was the type of beauty that turned heads.
Eloise stopped for a second, then stepped onto the grass, her expensive slippers sinking slightly into the cool blades. She strode toward Yuki with purpose.
Yuki heard the footsteps and glanced over her shoulder. Surprise flashed across her face before it settled into clear disgust.
"What do you want?" Yuki sneered. "Got bored with Kaden already?"
Eloise crossed her arms, a smug smile curling her lips. "I can see you’re enjoying the scenery. Enjoy it while you can. Because as soon as I beco Luna after the Spring Festival, the first thing I’m doing is getting rid of you."
There it was again. The wedding after the festival. Yuki ignored it and then replied. Her expression remained cold as she spoke, "Why do you sound so insecure, Eloise? We barely know each other, yet you act like we’re enemies." she sneered.
Eloise snorted. "Save the grammar, Yuki. I know your type. But it’s useless. You will never take the triplets from . Our bond is unbreakable." she said with smug satisfaction.
With those parting words, Eloise turned and walked away, her footsteps echoing sharply down the stone hallway until they faded into the night.
***********
Back in his room, Kaden stood by the window, staring out into the moonlit gardens.
’It’s not serious. It doesn’t hurt anymore,’ he replied through the mind link, finally reconnecting with Killian.
’Glad your injuries aren’t serious. Did you get a good look at the intruder?’ Killian asked. He was still stuck in a lengthy board eting. The projector was on with project discussions going on while his mind was elsewhere.
’I didn’t. It was too fast,’ Kaden admitted.
He leaned against the window fra, eyes narrowing as he caught sight of a familiar figure moving through the garden below. Yuki crouched low between the flowering shrubs, glancing around cautiously.
’That’s weird. A wolf faster than you? It couldn’t possibly be an alpha bloodline,’ Killian said, sounding troubled. An alpha wouldn’t be able to sneak so easily into the pack house territory.
’I don’t know,’ Kaden replied, distracted. His gaze remained locked on the blonde below.
"Where are you going, Snow?" He said to himself, recognising the suspicious figure.
’Kaden... Kaden...’ Killian called again, noticing Kaden’s drifting thoughts. ’Is sothing wrong there?’
’Nothing important,’ Kaden answered. ’When will the eting be over?’
’I’m not sure from the look of things.’ Killian replied. The project lead called his attention. The mind link is cut off.
Kaden’s lips curved into a dark, amused smile as he continued watching Yuki slip through the moonlit garden like a ghost.
" To your boyfriend, I guess." The words tasted bitter on his tongue. His blue eyes flashed bright gold for a brief second.
Reviews
All reviews (0)